This activity requires you to comprehensively report on a biological issue. An issue is something that people hold different opinions or viewpoints on. There are a number of issues that impact on Australians . In this activity you will be researching an issue related to Gene Testing.
Genetic testing is the new wave of the future. Geneticists can now tell possible carriers of the gene for a disease their true fate, not just give them odds. Now that we can tell people what genes they will or do have, do we allow people to selectively decide when and whatever they want to know? Do we test the unborn, and if so, then can the parents abort if they are unhappy with the results? How far do we let things go? Is genetic testing really a good ethical procedure? But what if it could also prevent and help cure disease?
Our genes hold an encyclopedia of information about us and, indirectly, about our relatives. Who should be privy to that information. Will a predisposition for cancer, for instance, remain secret - or could the information slip out? The concern is that test results might someday be used against a person. Some people have been denied Health Insurance, some have lost jobs or and some have been turned down for adoptions because of their gene status.
OVERALL TASK:
You will be required to work in a small group to develop and refine a suitable research question or purpose based on the issue described above. In your Group you will research Gene Testing in order to answer your question and share resources. You will present your findings in an individual Research Report
Task 1 – Developing and refining a research question
Develop possible questions, suitable for research, relating to the issue
e.g Who owns your DNA assignment?
e.g. Should gene testing be compulsory?
e.g. Should you be able to test someone’s DNA without their permission?
e.g. Should DNA testing only be available for disease prevention and cure?
Select and refine one question or purpose on which to base your research. This must relate to the biology of Genes and Gene testing. It will help to focus your research.
Submit your possible questions and your research question or purpose to your teacher for approval before beginning your research
Task 2 – Collecting and processing information.
Research your chosen claim by collecting evidence from at least three different internet sources. This information must include biological ideas about Genes and Gene Testing. Also collect and process information on the differing viewpoints that people, groups and/or organisations have expressed about how this issue. Record this evidence in note form.
Make sure you collect enough information to allow you to take a position on the issue. You will be expected to justify your position using information taken. You must also make a recommendation for further action and give reasons for your recommendation.
Use the Validity of evidence in Internet SourcesTemplate to evaluate the information in each of your 3 sources
Prepare a Bibliography using the conventions outlined in your school diary . Also note any sources you do not use and explain why they were unsuitable.
Task 3 – Reporting
You could use the following suggestions to structure your Report
Introductory paragraph
The introductory paragraphs should include a topic sentence which includes the Thesis or your position statement followed by a brief overview of the essay. This is where you inform the reader of what the report is about.
You should state why the issue is personally relevant to you, or say why it is relevant to society.
Next, identify the biology relating to the Gene testing and the issue you have chosen by making multiple links between relevant biological ideas. You should include definitions of words and technical terms that a reader may not be familiar with .
Briefly present the arguments you will be using.
Closing statement- the last sentence of this paragraph should also include a transitional sentence that moves the reader to the first paragraph of the body of the essay.
In summary, the introduction should contain:
Research statement and overview
Personal and social relevance
Definitions (of words, and technical terms)
Scientific explanations (valid and accurate)
Closing statement and link to next section
Body paragraphs
These should consist of the arguments; and the counter-arguments. The best number of arguments is three. Arguments and support should be logically linked and sequenced in a way that makes it easy and interesting to follow your train of thought
Argument 1 –This should be the most important argument that supports your thesis.
Use only one idea/concept per paragraph. If you change ideas, start a new paragraph.
It should then include the data (facts, statistics, principles, examples, real-life experiences) and the relevant theory (concepts, laws, formulas, quantities, units) that support your thesis
It should then draw a clear connection to the Research Question ; and most importantly – it should be reasonable and believable .
The closing sentence ideally should not only sum up the paragraph, but also provide a link to the next argument
Argument 2 – the second idea that supports the argument for your thesis.
Same structure as Argument 1 but with further evidence supporting your thesis.
Argument 3 – the third idea that supports the argument for your thesis.
Same structure as Argument 1 but with the final evidence supporting your thesis.
Counter-arguments -
Explain why some people/groups and/or organisations do not agree with your thesis hold those viewpoints and outline their reasoning.
Concluding paragraph
The conclusion should be very strong and clear and follow logically from information collected and judgments made and must not introduce new information. Ideally, it would contain four critical points:
Re-state your own position on the issue using some of the original language or language that "echoes" the original language.
A summary of the main points from the body of the essay and how they link to this thesis. Use information from your sources to justify why you hold that position.
A statement about the counter arguments or limitations of the arguments.
A final statement (that signals the discussion has come to an end) and makes a recommendation, with reasons, for action in the future.
Introduction
Table of Contents
Genetic testing is the new wave of the future. Geneticists can now tell possible carriers of the gene for a disease their true fate, not just give them odds. Now that we can tell people what genes they will or do have, do we allow people to selectively decide when and whatever they want to know? Do we test the unborn, and if so, then can the parents abort if they are unhappy with the results? How far do we let things go? Is genetic testing really a good ethical procedure? But what if it could also prevent and help cure disease?
Our genes hold an encyclopedia of information about us and, indirectly, about our relatives. Who should be privy to that information. Will a predisposition for cancer, for instance, remain secret - or could the information slip out? The concern is that test results might someday be used against a person. Some people have been denied Health Insurance, some have lost jobs or and some have been turned down for adoptions because of their gene status.
OVERALL TASK:
You will be required to work in a small group to develop and refine a suitable research question or purpose based on the issue described above. In your Group you will research Gene Testing in order to answer your question and share resources. You will present your findings in an individual Research ReportTask 1 – Developing and refining a research question
- Develop possible questions, suitable for research, relating to the issue
e.g Who owns your DNA assignment?e.g. Should gene testing be compulsory?
e.g. Should you be able to test someone’s DNA without their permission?
e.g. Should DNA testing only be available for disease prevention and cure?
Submit your possible questions and your research question or purpose to your teacher for approval before beginning your research
Task 2 – Collecting and processing information.
Make sure you collect enough information to allow you to take a position on the issue. You will be expected to justify your position using information taken. You must also make a recommendation for further action and give reasons for your recommendation.
Possible sources you may choose to use are:
Understanding Gene Testing . http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/NIH/
Evergreen, G. L. (2012). Science Quest 10 /Australian Curriculum Edition . John Wiley & Sons .
Genetic Testing Dilemmas. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/genetic-testing-dilemmas-p1.html
Personal DNA Testing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiJrM3GX-Qg
Task 3 – Reporting
You could use the following suggestions to structure your ReportIntroductory paragraph
The introductory paragraphs should include a topic sentence which includes the Thesis or your position statement followed by a brief overview of the essay. This is where you inform the reader of what the report is about.You should state why the issue is personally relevant to you, or say why it is relevant to society.
Next, identify the biology relating to the Gene testing and the issue you have chosen by making multiple links between relevant biological ideas. You should include definitions of words and technical terms that a reader may not be familiar with .
Briefly present the arguments you will be using.
Closing statement- the last sentence of this paragraph should also include a transitional sentence that moves the reader to the first paragraph of the body of the essay.
In summary, the introduction should contain:
Body paragraphs
These should consist of the arguments; and the counter-arguments. The best number of arguments is three. Arguments and support should be logically linked and sequenced in a way that makes it easy and interesting to follow your train of thoughtArgument 1 –This should be the most important argument that supports your thesis.
Argument 2 – the second idea that supports the argument for your thesis.
Same structure as Argument 1 but with further evidence supporting your thesis.
Argument 3 – the third idea that supports the argument for your thesis.
Same structure as Argument 1 but with the final evidence supporting your thesis.
Counter-arguments -
Explain why some people/groups and/or organisations do not agree with your thesis hold those viewpoints and outline their reasoning.
Concluding paragraph
The conclusion should be very strong and clear and follow logically from information collected and judgments made and must not introduce new information. Ideally, it would contain four critical points:Bibliography.
Use the format outlined in your school diary.